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Anzhi "hungry" for quarter-final spot

Anzhi Makhachkala boss Guus Hiddink says his side are "hungry" for success as they prepare to face Newcastle United in the UEFA Europa League tonight.

The teams drew 0-0 at the Luzhniki Stadium in the first leg of their last-16 tie on March 7th, meaning both clubs must win in order to progress to the quarter-finals.

Speaking ahead of this evening's game at St James' Park, Hiddink said:

"My team is rather hungry when we can make a next step. So we're not coming just to play a game and go for the league. We take the Europa League very, very seriously."

– Guus Hiddink, FC Anzhi Makhachkala Manager

Since the Russian club were taken over by Dagestani billionaire Suleyman Kerimov in January 2011, they have made a host of big name signings. The most notable being Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o from Inter Milan for 28 million euros (£24 million) in August 2011. This has dramatically raised the profile of the club over the last year.

Hiddink said: "Within one year I think the club image has increased a lot. The seriousness within the club [has increased] and the way we try to play has given me a lot of energy."

Regarding his side's chances of overcoming the Magpies and winning the Europa League, Hiddink said it will be difficult as the standard of the competition is high with the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Lazio all still in the tournament.

Hiddink said: "If you see what teams can be playing in the last eight, that's Champions League level. So it's difficult and unpredictable to say whether the teams [Newcastle or Anzhi] can go all the way.

"We like to go step by step and not think too much ahead, but if we could make the next step then yes it gives a lot of prestige," he added.